"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Erin Gillespie, MD, MPH

Provider

Erin Gillespie, MD, MPH

Physician, Fred Hutch
Associate Professor, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Radiation Oncology

South Lake Union Clinic

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“My research focuses on understanding variation in the quality and types of treatments people receive and then identifying ways to bring best practices to patients, regardless of where they live.”

— Dr. Gillespie

What brought you to oncology and health care research?

When I was in high school in Anchorage, Alaska, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to travel to the lower 48 — the contiguous United States — for six weeks of radiation. Ever since then, I have had in my mind, “Why can’t people trust that they’re getting high-quality care closer to home?” I want to help make high-quality care more accessible for people everywhere.

What is your focus at Fred Hutch?

My role is that of a clinician scientist and health services researcher with a focus on implementation science and its application to clinical radiation oncology. I specialize in radiation treatment for patients with breast cancer and metastatic disease.

I am interested in how to optimize care to reduce the burden on patients and improve their quality of life. I want patients to be open about their circumstances so we can tailor treatments appropriately and ensure optimal outcomes.

My clinical and research efforts align under a mission to serve diverse populations and expand access to high-quality patient-centered care through innovation in cancer care delivery.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Radiation oncology, health care quality research

I am a radiation oncologist who sees patients at the South Lake Union Clinic and UW Medical Center – Northwest.

My work also focuses on understanding the patient experience and symptom management, including toxicities like fatigue and pain, and the financial burden of travel related to treatment.

Diseases Treated

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Yale University

Medical School
University of Michigan Medical School

Residency
University of California (San Diego) Medical Center

Board Certification
Radiation Oncology, American Board of Radiology

Other
Internship, University of Washington School of Medicine

Stories

All news

The Beam: New roles for Drs. Weg, Chen and Gillespie, plus a history of radiation

The Beam: New roles for Drs. Weg, Chen and Gillespie, plus a history of radiation June 27, 2023

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you.

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Many of our Fred Hutch physicians conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other doctors and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written.

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At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dietitians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.

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